Ernest Ward Middle Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court
February 20, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Lily Townson was named queen, and Brannon Freeman was named king. From the seventh grade, Kamryn Brock was named maiden, and Tristan Portwood was named knight. Sixth grade queen was Jalyn Bodiford and sixth grade knight was Gavin Grant.
The dance was held after Valentine’s Day due to the school’s cheerleaders and drama club attending out of town competitions last weekend.
Pictured above: (L-R) Sixth Grade Knight Gavin Grant, Sixth Grade Maiden Jalyn Bodiford, King Brannon Freeman, Queen Lily Townson, Seventh Grade Knight Tristan Portwood and Seventh Grade Maiden Kamryn Brock. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Head Start Program In Escambia
February 20, 2010
Young children and pregnant women can take advantage of a new program called Early Head Start.
Offered by the Community Action Program Committee and Escambia County Head Start, the new program serves children ages 0-3 and pregnant women with comprehensive education, social and health services.
Early Head Start will serve parents and children in the areas of Century-Bratt, Cantonment-Molino, Warrington and the Pensacola area.
Documentation needed to take part in the program includes:
- child’s birth certificate
- verification of pregnancy (if applicable)
- proof of family income
- proof of public assistance
- proof of residency for Escambia County
- child’s Social Security card
- proof of Medicaid or health insurance
- guardianship paperwork (if needed)
Interested persons should contact Escambia County Head Start at (850) 432-2992 ext. 446 or 441 to schedule an appointment to complete an application.
Our Local Health: Santa Rosa
February 20, 2010
A study released this week by the University of Wisconsin showed Santa Rosa County to be one of the healthiest counties in Florida.
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Santa Rosa ranked number 10 of 67 counties in the state. In the four areas that determine “health factors” Santa Rosa also ranked 10 of 67.
As part of our continuing series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”, we take a look today at the risk factors and lifestyles that led to Santa Rosa County’s good health report card.
Health Outcomes
- The number of premature deaths in Santa Rosa County is slightly higher than the state average.
- 15% of population in poor or fair health. Florida: 16%
- 4.2 days of a 30 day period was a sick day. Florida: 3.5
- 3.0 days of the last 30 was a poor mental health day. Florida: 2.8
- 8% of babies had a low birth weight. Florida: 8%
Heath Factors
- 28% of adults smoke. Florida: 21%
- 22% of adults are obese. Florida: 24%
- 14% binge drink. Florida: 14%
- 20 people for every 100,000 die in a traffic crash. Florida: 19
- Chlamydia rage is 178 per 100,000 people. Florida: 318
- Birth rate is 40 of 1,000 teen girls. Florida: 46
Clinical Care
- 19% of adults are uninsured. Florida: 24%
- 87 preventable hospital stays out of 1,000. Florida 69
- Diabetic screening rate 78%. Florida: 80%
- Hospice use is 48%. Florida: 44%
Social & Economic Factors
- 76% high school graduation rate. Florida: 64%
- 24% have college degrees. Florida: 25%
- 15% of children in poverty. Florida 17%
- 8% single parent households. Florida 9%
- 240 violent crimes per 100,000 population. Florida: 714
Physical Environment
- 4 air pollution days per year. Florida: 4
- 9 ozone pollution days per year. Florida: 2
- 50% have access to healthy foods. Florida: 50%
- 0.1 liquor stores per 10,000 people. Florida: 0.7
Each day through Sunday, NorthEscambia.com will investigate our health. We’ll take a detailed look at what is healthy about our three county area, plus we’ll look at the dirty little health secrets of our residents like smoking, binge drinking, obesity and violent crime. Join us each day through Sunday for our special series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”.
Our Local Health: Escambia, AL
February 20, 2010
A study released this week by the University of Wisconsin showed Escambia County, Alabmaa, to be one of the unhealthiest counties in Alabama.
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Escambia (Ala.) ranked number 51 of 67 counties in the state. In the four areas that determine “health factors” Escambia County (Ala.) ranked 58 of 67.
As part of our continuing series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”, we take a look today at the risk factors and lifestyles that led to Escambia County, Alabama’s poor health report card.
Health Outcomes
- The number of premature deaths in Escambia County is much higher than the state average.
- 25% of population in poor or fair health. Alabama: 20%
- 3.9 days of a 30 day period was a sick day. Alabama: 4.3
- 4.0 days of the last 30 was a poor mental health day. Alabama: 4.1
- 11% of babies had a low birth weight .Alabama: 10%
Heath Factors
- 26% of adults smoke. Alabama: 24%
- 35% of adults are obese. Alabama: 31%
- 4% binge drink. Alabama: 12%
- 37 people for every 100,000 die in a traffic crash. Alabama:25
- Chlamydia rage is 462 per 100,000 people. Alabama: 547
- Birth rate is 71 of 1,000 teen girls. Alabama: 54
Clinical Care
- 19% of adults are uninsured. Alabama:
- 87 preventable hospital stays out of 1,000. Alabama:
- Diabetic screening rate 78%. Alabama:
- Hospice use is 48%. Alabama:
Social & Economic Factors
- 63% high school graduation rate. Alabama: 66%
- 11% have college degrees. Alabama: 21%
- 31% of children in poverty. Alabama: 24%
- 12% single parent households. Alabama: 10%
- 454 violent crimes per 100,000 population. Alabama: 435
Physical Environment
- 4 air pollution days per year. Alabama: 6
- 0 ozone pollution days per year. Alabama: 1
- 29% have access to healthy foods. Alabama: 39%
- 0.5 liquor stores per 10,000 people. Alabama: 0.7
Each day through Sunday, NorthEscambia.com will investigate our health. We’ll take a detailed look at what is healthy about our three county area, plus we’ll look at the dirty little health secrets of our residents like smoking, binge drinking, obesity and violent crime. Join us each day through Sunday for our special series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”.
Molino Home Invasion Investigation Is Continuing; No Connection To Flomaton Incident
February 19, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is still looking into the case of two reported Molino home invasion attacks on cheerleaders last year.
Investigators are still interviewing persons in the case, Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Ted Roy said Thursday. “It is still an active case,” he said.
Authorities say there is no known connection whatsoever between the Molino home invasions and a home invasion and sexual assault of a 40-year old woman Thursday morning near Flomaton, Ala. (Read more about the Flomaton case here.)
“We are still pursuing any and all leads,” Sheriff David Morgan told NorthEscambia.com recently. He said his investigative team is keeping him updated on the progress of the case, but Morgan said he was unable to indicate a time frame for a possible resolution to the case.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Department investigators have returned to Molino several times since the incidents, questioning some of those involved with the two cases, Sgt. Ted Roy said recently.
A 13-year old Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleader reported that she was attacked by a knife-wielding intruder while she was home alone the night of October 31, 2009, at her home in the 7000 block of Highway 95A. The girl told deputies that a man entered the home through a window (pictured left), and one tried to attack her with a knife. The middle school student was cut multiple times on her hands in an apparent attempt to fight off her attacker as she was pinned on a bed, but she was not otherwise injured. Her injuries were not considered serious.
A 16-year old told investigators that a tall, slender white male had entered her home on Nancy Lane through a utility room window the morning of November 3, 2009. She told authorities that she fought back — throwing drinking glasses at her attacker and dousing him with pepper spray. She then fled the home, running to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. She described her attacker as wearing a black ski mask, a long black shirt and black pants.
To read previous stories, click a link below:
- Cheerleader Home Invasion Victim: “I Was Scared”
- Sheriff’s Report Details Friday Night’s Home Invasion
- Another Cheerleader Attacked In Second Molino Home Invasion
- Are The Two Cheerleader Home Invasion Attacks Related
- Molino Remains On High Alert After Attacks
- Home Invasion In Molino: Young Teen Cut Multiple Times With Knife
Pictured top: The attacker in the November 3 home invasion in Molino entered this Nancy Lane home through this utility room window. Pictured top inset: The October 31 suspect reportedly entered a home on Highway 95A through this window. Pictured below: The victim in the Nancy Lane attack ran to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Deadline Near For Consolidation Plan; Chance For Public Input
February 19, 2010
The local legislative delegation will listen to the public and then vote Monday whether to submit an Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission bill to the full Legislature.
If approved by the legislative delegation, the proposed consolidation of the governments of Pensacola, Century and Escambia County will be up for a public vote in November.
All three local governments are opposed to the plan — the Pensacola City Council vote for support failed, the Escambia County Commission recently voted to ask the legislature to delay any vote on consolidation until at least 2012, and the Town of Century withdrew all support for the plan early last year.
The legislative delegation will hold a public forum Monday at 5:30 at the WSRE-TV studios at Pensacola Junior College on College Boulevard. The public is invited to attend and speak.
Supporters and opponents of the plan are asking the public to express their views on the plan to each member of the legislative delegation. Contact information for each is below.
Rep. Clay Ford – District 3, Legislative Delegation chair
clay.ford@myfloridahouse.gov
Capitol Office: (850) 488-0895
Local Office: (850) 595-5550
Rep. Greg Evers — District 1
greg.evers@myfloridahouse.gov
Capitol Office: (850) 488-8188
Local Office: (850) 983-5550
Rep. Dave Murzin – District 2
dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov
Capitol Office: (850) 488-8278
Local Office: (850) 494-7330
Sen. Durell Peaden — District 2
peaden.durell.web@flsenate.gov
Capitol Office: (850) 487-5000
Local Office: (850) 484-9898
Sen. Don Gaetz — District 4
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
Capitol Office: (850) 487-5009
Local Office: (850) 897-5747
Landfill Gas Will Power Over 900 Escambia Homes
February 19, 2010
A partnership between Gulf Power and Escambia County will produce enough renewable energy at Perdido Landfill to power more than 900 homes.
A groundbreaking is set for Wednesday to kick off construction of Gulf Power’s landfill gas-to-energy facility, which is scheduled to start operation in June.
Initially, landfill gas generators will produce 3,200 kilowatts of renewable energy — enough to power more than 900 homes. The energy capacity can be increased as the landfill produces more methane in the future.
“This partnership with Escambia County will produce tremendous benefits for our community — as well as educational opportunities for our schoolchildren,” said Sandy Sims, manager of Gulf Power Public Affairs. “Together, we will eliminate a source of greenhouse gas by capturing and using the methane that is already escaping into the atmosphere. We can produce renewable electricity that will benefit Gulf Power customers and create revenue for Escambia County.”
Gulf Power has a contract with Escambia County for the purchase of landfill gas and with LFG Technologies Development to build and operate the landfill gas-to-energy facility.
Landfill methane gas is one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy, forming naturally by decomposition of organic material in landfills. Municipal solid waste landfills are the second largest human-generated source of methane emissions in the United States. Escambia County has a collection system in place and currently flares the gas as required by regulations.
LFG Technologies has built and operated more than 125,000 kilowatts of landfill gas facilities in the U.S. The brick facility will house two Caterpillar generators specially designed to burn landfill methane gas.
Once the facility begins operation, educational tours will be available for school groups and the community.
Charges Dropped Against McDavid Man Accused Of Fighting With Ex Over Baby
February 19, 2010
Charges have been dropped against a McDavid man after he allegedly got into a fight with his ex-girlfriend over their baby.
Keith Dale Walker, 28, was jailed January 22 on a battery domestic violence charge, but the victim in the case did not want him prosecuted, according to the State Attorney’s office.
The victim, Walker’s ex-girlfriend, told deputies that she was asleep in her room when Walker grabbed the four-month old baby out of her arms. She said Walker slapped her across the face multiple times. Fearing that Walker would not return the baby, the victim said she called 911.
Walker admitted to Deputy James Gilman that the two did argue over the baby, but he denied that there was ever any physical contact. Gilman wrote in his report that one side of the victim’s face was redder than the other, but that there was no distinct hand print.
Sheriff’s Office Releases More Info On Cantonment Fabricated Shooting Arrest
February 19, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has released more information about the Cantonment man that reported multiple times that someone had been shooting at his home when deputies say he made it all up.
John Horace Bryant, 33, was arrested Tuesday on two child cruelty charges for a shooting the teenager in the leg as part of what deputies say was a fabricated story designed to frame his ex-wife.
The charges stem from an incident where a 17-year old juvenile was shot with birdshot in the left during hte early morning hours of January 4 on Sundance Lane in Cantonment.
“Subsequent investigations revealed that Bryant had directed a 16-year old to shoot the other juvenile with a shotgun taken from Bryant’s house,” said Sgt. Ted Roy, sheriff’s office spokesperson. “The actual shooting victim believed he had been shot by Jennifer Bryant due to the statements made to hime by John Braynt.” Jennifer Bryant is John Bryant’s ex-wife.
In a televised report, Bryant said that someone had shot at his Sundance Lane home or his truck on at least eight different occasions in the past couple of months. IBryant even showed the reporter the bullet holes in his truck. The Cantonment man had also filed several police reports on the alleged shootings.
Braynt was arrested earlier this month and charged with aggravated stalking and obstruction of justice for making up the shooting stories in an attempt to frame his ex-wife. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Northview High School Track Results
February 19, 2010
Northview High School opened their track season Thursday with a meet in Bratt against Pensacola Catholic and J.U. Blacksher high schools.
Here are the results from that meet:
Girls Overall Team Placement:
- Catholic High School 78 points
- Northview 41 points
- Blacksher 19 points
Boys Overall Team Placement:
- Catholic High School 76 points
- Northview 55 points
- Blacksher 25 points
Girls Shot
- J. Ferguson (CHS) 29’ 7 ¼”
- L. Mims (BHS) 27’ 4 ¾”
- T. Syria (NHS) 23’ 4 ½”
- C . Ikner (BHS) 21’ 7 ½”
Boys Shot
- B. Knight (NHS) 35’ 3 ¾”
- R. Bethune (CHS) 34’ 6 ¾”
- M. Moore (NHS) 34’ ¾”
- C. Hare (NHS) 34’1 ½”
Girls Discus
- J. Ferguson (CHS) 78’ 5”
- Coley (BHS) 65’ 10”
- Laquinta (BHS) 50’ 3”
- T. Knight (NHS) 49’ 4”
Boys Discus
- Morris (NHS) 103’8”
- Hare(NHS) 103’4”
- Pierce (NHS) 98’3”
- Moore (NHS) 94’7”
Girls Long Jump
- L. Gomez (NHS) 13’½ ”
- J Ferguson (CHS) 12’5 ½”
- L. Cloud (NHS) 11’11”
- H. Fiellin (NHS) 10’ 9”
Boys Long Jump
- M. Williams (BHS) 17’2”
- W. Dean (BHS) 17
- Mitchell (NHS) 16’4”
Girls Triple Jump
- L. Gomez (NHS) 28’10”
- L. Cloud (NHS) 24’9”
Boys Triple Jump
- J. Gibson (NHS) 34’9 ½”
Girls High Jump
- J. Ferguson (CHS)
- L. Gomez (NHS)
Boys High Jump
- W. Dean (BHS)
- W. Taylor (BHS)
- G. Johnson (CHS)
110 M. Hurdles Boys
- J. Jackson (NHS)
- J. Sinkfield (CHS)
100 M Girls
- M. McCluskey (CHS) 12.94
- A. Mitchell (NHS) 13.46
- B. Dean (BHS) 13.50
- J. Ferguson (CHS) 13.97
100 M Boys
- M. Sumler (CHS) 9.63
- M. Williams (BHS) 11.02
- J. Brockman (CHS) 11.39
- M. Mithchell (NHS) 11.74
Girls 1600 M
- A. Farr (CHS) 6:26
- B. Ehlers (CHS) 7:36
Boys 1600 M
- M.-H. Walker (CHS) 5:13
- T. Robinson (CHS) 5:20
- A. Lambert (NHS) 5:43
- J. Nettles (BHS) 6:54
Girls 400 M
- B. Sander (CHS) 1:15:07
- G. Geotter (NHS) 1:15:54
- S. Camp (BHS) 1:15:81
- B. Ballette (CHS) 1:20:65
Boys 400 M
- D. Meyers (CHS) 55:69
- D. Porter (NHS) 1:00:47
- J. Brockman (CHS) 1:01:90
- A. Albritton (NHS) 1:02:60
Girls 300 Hurdles
- A. Harbour (CHS) 1:13:12
Boys 300 Hurdles
- J. Sink field (CHS) 49.34
- J. Gibson (NHS) 51.12
- J. Kennedy (CHS) 51.34
- T. Walker (NHS) 51.41
Girls 800 M
- R. Farr (CHS) 2:50:47
- G. Goetter (NHS) 3:14:82
- O. Johnson (BHS) 3:25:47
- S. Camp (BHS) 3:30:27
Boys 800 M
- D. Nelson (CHS) 2:20
- W.Dean (BHS) 2:24
- C. Stuckey (BHS) 2:27
- L. Powell (CHS) 2:28
Girls 200 M
- B. Castro (CHS) 28:32
- B. Dean (BHS) 29:22
- N. Shimmick (CHS) 30:73
- A. Mitchell (NHS) 31:79
Boys 200 M
- M. Sumler (CHS) 23:63
- S. Smiley (CHS) 24:53
- N. Ptacek (CHS) 24:96
- A. Silcox (BHS) 26:78
Girls 3200 M
- E. Hill (CHS) 14:59
- A. Hill (CHS) 15:53
Boys 3200 M
- A. Ricketts (CHS) 11:39
- D. Engel (CHS) 12:18
Girls 800 Relay
- Catholic 11:59
- Nothview 14:43
Boys 800 Relay
- Catholic 9:49
- Northview 11:32
Girls 100 Relay
- Catholic 58:59
- Northview 59:00
Boys 100 Relay
- Catholic 47:50
- Northview 49:22
Girls 400 Relay
- Catholic 5:10:38
- Northview 5:33:88
Boys 400 Relay
- Catholic 4:04:32
Northview 4:24:56
Special thanks to Northview Girls Coach Natalie Nall for compiling these results for NorthEscambia.com.